Garment display device

ABSTRACT

The device comprises a body adapted to receive disposed thereabout a garment in a manner such that the body is positioned outside the garment interior, and means on the body for removably securing the body to a holder such as a display arm. Serations are optionally provided at the edge of the body and function to maintain the position of a garment disposed about the body fixed relative to the body. The means for removably securing is an inverted substantially L-shaped extension of the body; said means consists of a vertical and a horizontal segment. The vertical segment extends upward from the top edge of the body. The horizontal segment extends from the vertical segment, overhangs the top edge of the body and defines there between a blind slot having a recess which is adapted to removably receive the holder. The body with garment ensconsed thereon can be encased in a clear plastic bag. The substantially L-shaped extension may be totally or partially removable; when completely removed the body can be alternatively removably secured to the holder by means of an opening in the body adapted to receive a holder such as a display arm. The device permits ready viewing of a displayed garment. The body is raised slightly to disengage the display arm from the recess, whereupon the display arm moves into the slot and the body can be moved so that the arm is moved along the slot but not out of the slot. After viewing, the procedure is reversed to replace the garment in its original position on the display.

United @tates atnt [1 1 Greenwald Sept. 24, 1974 GARMENT DISPLAY DEVICE [75] Inventor: Michael Greenwald, New York,

[73] Assignee: Amtel, Incorporated, Providence,

[22] Filed: June 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 368,205

[52] U.S. Cl. 223/87 [51] Int. Cl. A47j 51/094 [58] Field of Search 223/85, 87, 88, 95, 92, 223/84; 211/57, 58, 59, 339, 340, 113, 13; 248/339 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,434,712 11/1922 Launder 223/87 2,492,226 12/1949 Kohl et al. 223/DIG. 1 3,031,113 4/1962 Olson.... 223/95 3,087,659 4/1963 Nolan 223/84 X 3,252,565 5/1966 Abbey i i 223/87 X 3,398,839 8/1968 Ballenger et al 211/13 3,445,045 5/1969 Panning 223/95 3,692,269 9/1972 Hales 248/339 X D190,005 3/1961 Humphrey 223/87 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 327,652 4/1904 France 223/95 516,732 1/1940 Great Britain 223/87 660,527 11/1951 Great Britain 223/87 Primary ExaminerGeorge H. Krizmanich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Morton S. Simon, Esq.

lllllll" [57] ABSTRACT The device comprises a body adapted to receive disposed thereabout a garment in a manner such that the body is positioned outside the garment interior, and means on the body for removably securing the body to a holder such as a display arm. Serations are optionally provided at the edge of the body and function to maintain the position of a garment disposed about the body fixed relative to the body. The means for removably securing is an inverted substantially L-shaped extension of the body; said means consists of a vertical and a horizontal segment. The vertical segment extends upward from the top edge of the body. The horizontal segment extends from the vertical segment, overhangs the top edge of the body and defines there between a blind slot having a recess which is adapted to removably receive the holder. The body with garment cnsconscd thereon can be encased in a clear plastic bag. The substantially L-shapcd extension may be totally or partially removable; when completely removed the body can be alternatively removably secured to the holder by means of an opening in the body adapted to receive a holder such as a display arm. The device permits ready viewing of a displayed garment. The body is raised slightly to disengage the display arm from the recess, whereupon the display arm moves into the slot and the body can be moved so that the arm is moved along the slot but not out of the slot. After viewing, the procedure is reversed to replace the garment in its original position on the display.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures GARMENT DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to a display device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for display of garments. The device makes a racked displayed garment readily accessible for viewing.

Many devices for the display of garments such as shirts, T-shirts, sweaters, and the like are known to the art. Typical of such devices is the common clothes hanger and variations thereof. The sight of multiple racks with garments hung thereon by means of clothes hangers is common to all stores. The hanger serves to support the displayed garment and is removable from the rack so as to facilitate inspection of the garment by the persepective purchaser. To display a garment the hanger is inserted within the body of the garment so as to simulate an actual wearer. The garment, with hanger ensconsed, is then hung on the rack generally by menas of a hook-like extension on the hanger body.

With the advent of mass marketing stores have had to increase their inventories. Further, more styles must be carried and a wider range of sizes must be made available. Since space is generally at a premium in a retail establishment, garment racks are as a rule packed quite full. To remove a garment from a crowded rack in order to determine size or view its label to ascertain fabric content, the name of the manufacturer, or like information, is no easy chore. Sufficient room must be made on the rack to allow for removal of the desired garment therefrom. This often requires pushing aside an entire line of clothes which can become bothersome and tiring over the course of a days shopping.

Another prior art method for displaying garments is to package them in a clear plastic or opaque plastic bag-like container. To provide shape to the garment a stiffening member is employed. In the case of shirts and T-shirts the stiffening member is generally made of cardboard. It is inserted into the body of the garment so that is is disposed within the garment and simulates a wearer of same. Means are provided to hang the stiffened bagged garment on a display rack. Generally an opening is provided in the bag. Said opening being adapted to receive, for example a display arm therethrough. Althought this prior art has proven to be advantageous it is not free from fault. To place the stiffening member within the garment requires an expensive and time consuming hand operation. Moreover, when in place, the stiffener or stiffening member often blocks the garment label and prevents or hampers a prospective purchaser from viewing same.

The present invention is intended to remedy the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art devices. It is an object of this invention to provide a device which obviates the necessity for hand insertion of the stiffening member and enables automation of packaging.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which maintains a garment in the position in which it was originally packaged.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a device which when used to display a garment on a rack filled with similarly displayed garments enables a perspective purchaser to examine and replace the selected garment with ease.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which enables examination and replacement of a racked garment without disengaging the device from the rack.

The device of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like parts have been assigned the same numerical designation.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown with a supported garment, a portion of the garment being broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

It should be noted that although the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown in the drawings in conjunction with a T-shirt, the device is not limited to display of T-shirts; other garments can be utilized.

Referring now to FIG 1: This device of the present invention comprises a body 1) and means for removably securing (2) the body (1) to an arm (3) as for example an arm of a display. The means for removably securing (2) is disposed on the body (1). Preferably the means for removably securing (2) comprises an inverted hook-like extension of the body (1). Optimumly the means for removably securing (2) is unitary with the body (1). The hook-like extension constituting the means for removably securing (2) consists of a vertical segment (4) and a horizontal segment (5). The horizontal segment (5) overhangs the top edge (6) of the body (1 The lower edge (7 of the horizontal segment (5) and the top edge (6) of the body (1) define therebetween a blind slot (8). The slot (8) communicates with a recess (9) in the lower edge (7) of the horizontal segment (5). The recess (9) is adapted'to removably receive the arm (3). The arm (3) is slidably movable along the slot (8) until it engages the recess (9) whereupon the weight of the body (1) coupled with the weight of the supported garment will promote movement of the arm (3) into the recess (9). When the arm (3) is in the recess (9) the device is in its normal display position.

A prospective purchaser wishing to view a racked garment supported on a display arm by means of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 can easily accomplish his goal without having to move aside an entire line of similarly displayed garments. He merely grasps the body (1) lifting same upwardly so that the display arm (3) moves out of the recess (9). Once this is accomplished the device with supported garment is readily movable by sliding the device so that the arm (3) moves along the slot (8) away from the recess (9) but not so far as to completely disengage the arm (3) from the slot (8). After the garment has been inspected the purchaser merely reverses the procedure to return the garment to its original normal display position. The device is moved so that the arm (3) moves within the slot (8) toward the recess (9). Upon reaching the recess (9) the arm (3) is repositioned within said recess and the garment is in its original display position. In this manner the displayed garment may be viewed without removal from a display rack by sliding same away from the rack support arm then sliding same back toward said arm.

A portion of the horizontal segment (5) and/or a portion of the vertical segment (4) may be imprinted with indicia of origin as for example, a trademark and/or logo of the manufacturer, etc. A tear-strip or a line of perforations may be provided so that the portion of the horizontal and vertical segments (5 and 6) bearing the aforementioned indicia can be broken away and discarded if the retail distributor so desires.

As shown in the drawings second means (11) for removably securing the body (1) to the display arm (3) is optionally provided. Essentially, the second means (11) for removably securing consists of an opening in the body (1), preferably in the upper central portion thereof. The opening is adapted to removably receive therethrough the arm (3). A second set of tearable perforations (12) is optionally provided at about the bottom of the vertical segment (4). Preferably the second set of perforations (12) are in the same plane with the top edge (6) of the body (1). The second set of tearable perforations (12) enables one to completely remove the vertical and horizontal segments (4 and 5). After removal of the aforementioned segments the second means for removably securing (11) can be employed for displaying the device.

As shown in the drawings at least one upwardly extending seration (13) is preferably provided along each of the side edges (14) ofthe body (1). More preferably, a plurality of serations (13) are provided along each side edge (14). The serations (13) constitute toothlike projections formed in the body (1) by cutting out portions of the body (1) along the side edge (14). Preferably, the serations (13) are located at the upper portion of the body (1) and start at or near the juncture of the upper edge (6) and the side edge (14).

Turning now to FIG. 2: FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 employed in the display of a T-shirt (15). The T-shirt (15) as is shown in the drawing is folded about the body (1). The body (1) is not inserted within the interior of the T-shirt (15). In other words, the body (1) is not positioned within the T-shirt (15) in a manner such that it supports the T-shirt (15) from within simulating a wearer. The T-shirt (15) is folded about the body (I) in a manner such that the shirt fabric (16) contacts the serations (13) on the side edges (14) of the body (1). When the device is supported on the arm (3) as is shown in FIG. 3 the weight of the T-shirt (15) will cause the shirt fabric (16) to bear against the upwardly extending serations (13) thereby preventing downward slidable movement of the T-shirt (15) along the side edges (14) of the body (1).

Optionally, securing means (17) are employed for fixing the bottom (18) of the T-shirt (15). The securing means (17) may consist of a straight pin, a safety pin, a staple, a clip, or any other commonly employed removable fastener.

To keep thedisplayed garment clean and further to facilitate inspection and provide additional support, the supported garment may be encased within a bag (19). The bag (19) is preferably of clear plastic so that the label (20) on the T-shirt (15) can be readily viewed. An opening is provided in the bag (19) so that the hook-like extension comprised of the horizontal and vertical segments (5 and 4) can project therethrough. As is clear from the drawings (particularly FIG. 1) the body 1 is wider at the base than at the top. The side edges 14 taper outwardly from the top to the base of the body. The taper of the body together with the serations 13 on the side edges 14 serves to inhibit downward slidable movement of the garment 15 folded about the body l.

The device of the present invention may be made of for example paperboard, plastic, metal, masonite, hardboard, wood or the like. Although any stiff sheet material can be utilized, paperboard is preferred from a cost standpoint.

The complete device can be readily stamped out of for example paperboard, using equipment and techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Consequently, cost of production is very low. The stamping operation can be combined with an operation for punching out the second means for removably securing (11) and with an operation for producing the perforations (10 and 12). Printing of indicia on the segments constituting the hook-like extension can be carried out simultaneously with or subsequent to the aforementioned manufacturing procedures.

What is claimed is:

1. A garment support device comprising,

a body portion for receiving a garment folded thereabout, said body portion having a top edge, a first edge, a second edge, and a base;

a hook-like portion, on and extending upwardly from the top edge, for removably securing the body portion to an arm, said hook-like portion being unitary with and an extension of the body portion, the hook-like portion having a vertical segment extending upwardly from the top edge of the body portion and a horizontal segment extending horizontally from the vertical segment and overhanging the top edge, said body portion and said hook-like portion each being in sheet form;

means on each of said first edge and said second edge, for fixing relative to the body portion the position of a garment when it is folded about the body portion;

means for detaching the hook-like portion from the body portion, said means for detaching comprising a line of tearable perforations in the vertical segment, lying in the plane of and in alignment with the top edge;

a second line of tearable perforations in the horizontal segment, for removing a part of the horizontal segment, the second line of perforations being disposed above the top edge;

and secondary means, on the body portion and below the top edge, for removably securing the body portion to said arm when the hook-like portion is detached from the body portion.

2. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for fixing is a plurality of serations on each of said first edge and said second edge.

3. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion is wider at its base than at its top whereby the sides of the body portion taper outwardly from the top to the base, the taper of the body portion cooperating with said means for fixing on the first edge and with said means for fixing on the second edge to inhibit downward slidable movement of a garment when it is folded about the body portion.

4. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overhanging horizontal segment and the top edge beneath it define therebetween a blind slot, the horizontal portion has a recess for removably receiving the arm, and the slot communicates with the recess.

5. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hook-like portion is substantially L-shaped.

8. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary means for removably securing is an opening in the body portion near the top edge, the opening being adapted to receive therethrough said arm.

9. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for fixing is a seration on each of said first edge and said second edge. 

1. A garment support device comprising, a body portion for receiving a garment folded thereabout, said body portion having a top edge, a first edge, a second edge, and a base; a hook-like portion, on and extending upwardly from the top edge, for removably securing the body portion to an arm, said hook-like portion being unitary with and an extension of the body portion, the hook-like portion having a vertical segment extending upwardly from the top edge of the body portion and a horizontal segment extending horizontally from the vertical segment and overhanging the top edge, said body portion and said hook-like portion each being in sheet form; means on each of said first edge and said second edge, for fixing relative to the body portion the position of a garment when it is folded about the body portion; means for detaching the hook-like portion from the body portion, said means for detaching comprising a line of tearable perforations in the vertical segment, lying in the plane of and in alignment with the top edge; a second line of tearable perforations in the horizontal segment, for removing a part of the horizontal segment, the second line of perforations being disposed above the top edge; and secondary means, on the body portion and below the top edge, for removably securing the body portion to said arm when the hook-like portion is detached from the body portion.
 2. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for fixing is a plurality of serations on each of said first edge and said second edge.
 3. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion is wider at its base than at its top whereby the sides of the body portion taper outwardly from the top to the base, the taper of the body portion cooperating with said means for fixing on the first edge and with said means for fixing on the second edge to inhibit downward slidable movement of a garment when it is folded about the body portion.
 4. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overhanging horizontal segment and the top edge beneath it define therebetween a blind slot, the horizontal portion has a recess for removably receiving the arm, and the slot communicates with the recess.
 5. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hook-like portion is substantially ''''L''''-shaped.
 6. The device, as claimed in claim 1, further including a bag having an opening, the bag being otherwise closed, said bag being adapted to receive therein prior to closing of same the body portion with a garment folded thereabout, the hook-like portion extending through the opening in the bag.
 7. The device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said bag is transparent.
 8. The devIce, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary means for removably securing is an opening in the body portion near the top edge, the opening being adapted to receive therethrough said arm.
 9. The device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for fixing is a seration on each of said first edge and said second edge. 